Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

For me this is where the real dillemma comes from, as I never took markerlights in the old book and am now tempted to do so, I think in lower points the snipers are a better source, but hear me out on the other units, I'm not Anti-Sniper squad, I think they're great, I just need the heavy slots for Anti Vehicle at my points level (1850) Here's what I think on each of the markerlight sources:

FWs

Don't bother taking them on the Shas'ui, they're too expensive and unreliable (only BS3, marker drones are even worse in non crisis units at BS2) The points are better spent elsewhere.

Pathfinders:

Pathfinders are a great source, at 11 points per model they're a steal, and they don't really compete for a FA slot with much in my eyes (Bar Marker Drone Teams for Shas'o). You only really need 3-4 counters on a target, and pathfinders can do this well, they can also use special weapons to help weaken them down for other units to finish them off.

Marker Drone Teams:
Don't look at taking these unless you want a Shas'o in the unit with a drone controller, which makes for a lot of BS5 markerlight shots! That's the only way i'd run this unit, and I like to stick my commander in a unit of Crisis with the Puretide chip to help with Tank Hunters, seeing as we can't rely on broadsides anymore for High AV AT, but nonetheless this is a good option and no doubt i will see builds with this in it.

Sniper Drone Teams
I think these guys are brilliant, a cheap source of BS5 markerlights and stealth to help keep them alive, also sniper drones aren't terrible and j can see them being useful within rapid fire range, especially with an ethereal, the only problem is is that it competes with the Hammerhead, Broadsides and Skyray for a slot, and you really need HS to fill the long range AT/AF void in your army, I think these are the best choice, providing you have a slot for them.

In conclusion, I think the 2 best sources are O'drones and Pathfinders, they are relatively cheap and don't compete with much in their respective slots apart from each other, and whilst the sniper drone team is a great source I will not be taking them as I need other HS choices instead.

Hope this helps.

 McNinja wrote:

 lordofthegophers wrote:

Wolfnid420 wrote:
My bad! I didnt realize 1 dude could give a squad infiltrate

They can't.

Infiltrate from BRB:

"Units that contain at least one model
with this special rule are deployed last,
after all other units (friend and foe)
have been deployed."

So, all other units must be deployed before Shadowsun has a chance to join a unit (Independent Characters join units when they are deployed, not before).

However, you can join an Independent Character to a unit if both the IC and unit are held in reserve, thus conferring the Outflank special rule to the unit.

Aaaaaand no. You can. If the IC is deployed with the unit, they are deployed together, it doesn't matter if they're deployed first or last. The unit has at least one model in it with Infiltrate, that's Shadowsun.

Go and check the rules on when an Independent Character joins a unit. They do not join until they are on the table and within unit coherency. Since units using Infiltrate must be deployed last, after normal deployment, the IC won't be able to infiltrate unless another unit has the Infiltrate rule.

I've been relying on 1 squad of Pathfinders, one squad of Marker Drones with a Commander, that has been sufficient for my needs but I also run allies and prefer not to rely on MLs too heavily

 lordofthegophers wrote:

 McNinja wrote:

 lordofthegophers wrote:

Wolfnid420 wrote:
My bad! I didnt realize 1 dude could give a squad infiltrate

They can't.

Infiltrate from BRB:

"Units that contain at least one model
with this special rule are deployed last,
after all other units (friend and foe)
have been deployed."

So, all other units must be deployed before Shadowsun has a chance to join a unit (Independent Characters join units when they are deployed, not before).

However, you can join an Independent Character to a unit if both the IC and unit are held in reserve, thus conferring the Outflank special rule to the unit.

Aaaaaand no. You can. If the IC is deployed with the unit, they are deployed together, it doesn't matter if they're deployed first or last. The unit has at least one model in it with Infiltrate, that's Shadowsun.

Go and check the rules on when an Independent Character joins a unit. They do not join until they are on the table and within unit coherency. Since units using Infiltrate must be deployed last, after normal deployment, the IC won't be able to infiltrate unless another unit has the Infiltrate rule.

I agree with your interpretation of the RAW, however, the RAW in this case is patently absurd, especially given the wording of the Infiltrate USR as well as Tank Hunters, Monster Hunters, Stubborn, and Hit and Run. I believe the rules regarding deploying a unit with an attached IC is just a clunky way of saying that if you want said IC with said unit, you need just place them together in coherency, otherwise the rule and the wording are pointless.